Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card vs. Citi Diamond Preferred Card
On the criteria below, Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card wins 4 of 5. The verdict depends on which criteria matter to you.
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card
Amex
Citi Diamond Preferred Card
Citi
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card wins 4 of 5 criteria here, making it the stronger all-rounder.
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card wins on first-year math, earning ceiling, travel insurance, and foreign transactions; Citi Diamond Preferred Card wins on annual fee.
Pick the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card if year-one math is your priority; take the Citi Diamond Preferred Card if you want a cheaper card to keep long-term.
Who wins what
4 vs 1- First-year math Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card wins on bonus value minus annual fee.
- Annual fee Citi Diamond Preferred Card
Citi Diamond Preferred Card is $150 cheaper to keep.
- Earning ceiling Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card earns more on its best category (12× vs 0×).
- Travel insurance Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card carries built-in travel insurance.
- Foreign transactions Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card has a lower (or zero) foreign transaction fee.
By the numbers
- Annual fee
- $150
- Free
- Welcome offer (typical value)
- $650
- —
- First-year net
- +$500
- +$0
- Peak earning rate
- 12×
- —
- Top categories
- Hotels Resorts, Dining, U.S. Supermarkets
- —
- Lounge access
- No
- No
- Travel insurance
- Yes
- No
- Elite status
- Yes
- No
- Foreign transaction fee
- None
- 3.00%
- Reward currency
- Hilton Honors
- —
Welcome-offer dollar values use each program's typical-tier valuation from our signup bonus calculator. See the methodology page for sourcing details.